AG-ACNP - Common Problems in
Acute Care Questions and Answer
Updated 2026
Define pain. - AnswerSubjective descriptor of perceived distress.
Acute pain - AnswerPain lasting <6 months
Caused by tissue damage
Chronic pain - AnswerPain lasting >6 months
Combination is usually necessary to effectively treat chronic pain
Cutaneous pain - AnswerLocalized on the skin or surface of body
Visceral pain - AnswerPoorly localized
Internal organs
Somatic pain - AnswerNon-localized
Muscle, bones, nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissue
Neuropathic pain - AnswerNerve pathway injury or compression
Frequently neuropathic pain is caused by tumor
What is the single most reliable indicator of existence and intensity of pain? - AnswerSubjective
findings - patient report
WHOSE PAIN IS IT
Normal body temperature - Answer37 C
Fever temperature and what to do - Answer38.6 C = 101.5
Culture patient and start Tylenol
,When is it appropriate to start Tylenol in presence of 38.6 C fever? - AnswerOnce the cultures are
drawn, you can administer Tylenol
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - AnswerSSRI toxicity
Family history is significant for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Malignant Hyperthermia is associated with what drug? - AnswerSuccyncholine
Succs is contraindicated in what situation? - AnswerHyperkalemia - contraindicated for succs
What is the most common cause of non-infectious fever? - AnswerPost-operative atelectasis
Elevated esoinophils are present in what reactions? - AnswerAllergic reactions
Drug-induced fever
Drug Induced Fever - AnswerSlow onset (7-10 days)
PCN derivatives most common inducing fever
In the absence of infection, what is the treatment for non-infectious fever? - AnswerHydration
Increasing lung expansion
What is the treatment of drug-induced fever related to Thorazine? - AnswerFlush out Thorazine with
IVF
Infectious etiology of fever is manifested by: - AnswerElevated WBC with L shift - bandemia
WBC >30,000 is suggestive of: - AnswerLeukemia
Not r/t infection causing fever
Treatment of Infectious Fever - AnswerCulture
Tylenol
, Supportive IVF
Gram stain and culture all lines and invasive catheters
When patient presents with 101.5 F >3 weeks, what diagnosis is suspected and what is the plan of
care? - AnswerFUO - endocarditis, malignancy
NOTHING. You do nothing until source of fever is identified
Most important part of history of headache - AnswerChronology - onset, when it started
Tension Headache - characteristics - AnswerMost common type of headache
Vice-like, squeezing, tight
Generalized
Intense around neck and back of head
NO focal neurological symptoms
Duration: several hours
Vice-like, generalized, squeezing headache that radiates into neck and lasting several hours with no
focal neurological symptoms - AnswerTension Headache
Tension Headache treatment - AnswerOTC analgesics
Relaxation
Classic Migraine - AnswerMigraine headache with aura
Common Migraine - AnswerMigraine headache without aura
Pathology of Migraine Headache - AnswerExcessive dilation and pulsation of external carotid artery
lasting 2-72 hours and following trigeminal nerve pathway (CN V)
Migraine s/s - AnswerUnilateral, lateralized throbbing headache
Focal neurological deficits - hallucinations, visual changes, aphasia, numbness, tingling, clumsiness
Nausea/vomiting
Acute Care Questions and Answer
Updated 2026
Define pain. - AnswerSubjective descriptor of perceived distress.
Acute pain - AnswerPain lasting <6 months
Caused by tissue damage
Chronic pain - AnswerPain lasting >6 months
Combination is usually necessary to effectively treat chronic pain
Cutaneous pain - AnswerLocalized on the skin or surface of body
Visceral pain - AnswerPoorly localized
Internal organs
Somatic pain - AnswerNon-localized
Muscle, bones, nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissue
Neuropathic pain - AnswerNerve pathway injury or compression
Frequently neuropathic pain is caused by tumor
What is the single most reliable indicator of existence and intensity of pain? - AnswerSubjective
findings - patient report
WHOSE PAIN IS IT
Normal body temperature - Answer37 C
Fever temperature and what to do - Answer38.6 C = 101.5
Culture patient and start Tylenol
,When is it appropriate to start Tylenol in presence of 38.6 C fever? - AnswerOnce the cultures are
drawn, you can administer Tylenol
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - AnswerSSRI toxicity
Family history is significant for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Malignant Hyperthermia is associated with what drug? - AnswerSuccyncholine
Succs is contraindicated in what situation? - AnswerHyperkalemia - contraindicated for succs
What is the most common cause of non-infectious fever? - AnswerPost-operative atelectasis
Elevated esoinophils are present in what reactions? - AnswerAllergic reactions
Drug-induced fever
Drug Induced Fever - AnswerSlow onset (7-10 days)
PCN derivatives most common inducing fever
In the absence of infection, what is the treatment for non-infectious fever? - AnswerHydration
Increasing lung expansion
What is the treatment of drug-induced fever related to Thorazine? - AnswerFlush out Thorazine with
IVF
Infectious etiology of fever is manifested by: - AnswerElevated WBC with L shift - bandemia
WBC >30,000 is suggestive of: - AnswerLeukemia
Not r/t infection causing fever
Treatment of Infectious Fever - AnswerCulture
Tylenol
, Supportive IVF
Gram stain and culture all lines and invasive catheters
When patient presents with 101.5 F >3 weeks, what diagnosis is suspected and what is the plan of
care? - AnswerFUO - endocarditis, malignancy
NOTHING. You do nothing until source of fever is identified
Most important part of history of headache - AnswerChronology - onset, when it started
Tension Headache - characteristics - AnswerMost common type of headache
Vice-like, squeezing, tight
Generalized
Intense around neck and back of head
NO focal neurological symptoms
Duration: several hours
Vice-like, generalized, squeezing headache that radiates into neck and lasting several hours with no
focal neurological symptoms - AnswerTension Headache
Tension Headache treatment - AnswerOTC analgesics
Relaxation
Classic Migraine - AnswerMigraine headache with aura
Common Migraine - AnswerMigraine headache without aura
Pathology of Migraine Headache - AnswerExcessive dilation and pulsation of external carotid artery
lasting 2-72 hours and following trigeminal nerve pathway (CN V)
Migraine s/s - AnswerUnilateral, lateralized throbbing headache
Focal neurological deficits - hallucinations, visual changes, aphasia, numbness, tingling, clumsiness
Nausea/vomiting
